France: River Loire by kayak

France: River Loire by KayakThinking about the Loire you imagine castles. But seen from the kayak first of all you experience nature. Europe's last wild river is studded with islands and some river branches are so narrow you can forget you are navigating the largest stream of France. You experience a sense of jungle, not of the tropics but of Western Europe as it once has been. You meet beavers and thousands of terns that are looking for a spot to lay eggs and breed. You glide under a delightfully scenting canopy of acacia's when suddenly it opens up and, indeed, a chateau rises above the shore. Finally a whole town moves into view, like the royal city of Blois. Or Saumur, the capital of Loire sparkling wines.

Downstream of the medieval Loire bridge at Blois a kayaker encounters large patches of flowering River Water-crowfoot (Ranunculus fluitans; NL: Vlottende waterranonkel). Rooted in the riverbed, it produces strands of up to 6 meters in length, that are stretched out in the direction of the current. From june till august its white flowers form a splendid sight for paddlers. But mind you, you can get stuck in them as well! Photo Mick Palarczyk.